U006--VR&E Assessement Kits VR&E VARO 318 is seeking to procure tesing kits. The testing kits provide an online assessment tool that counselors utilize to help determine a Veteran's abilities,

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration, is soliciting bids for an online career assessment system to support the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program, specifically for the Winston-Salem Regional Office. The contract, identified by solicitation number 36C10D26Q0170, is structured as a commercial item acquisition with an estimated total value of up to $15,000,000 and is set aside exclusively for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs). The scope involves maintaining and operating the existing COPSystem platform, a cloud-based solution that delivers psychometric assessments to help VR&E counselors evaluate veterans' abilities, interests, and work values to guide career and education planning. The contract includes a base year running from August 17, 2026, to August 16, 2027, with four one-year option periods extending through August 16, 2031, and potential extensions under FAR 52.217-8 and 52.217-9, with a total contract duration not to exceed five years. Proposals must be submitted electronically by August 4, 2026, and evaluated using a best value trade-off approach, where Technical capability and Past Performance collectively carry equal weight to Price. The technical evaluation requires submission of a completed SF-1449, a five-page statement demonstrating relevant experience including the SAM UEI number and point of contact, and a delivery schedule. Past performance may be demonstrated with one reference, though absence of such history does not penalize the offeror. Price proposals must be submitted via the B.3 Price/Cost Schedule, with evaluation based on fairness and reasonableness. The contract imposes strict compliance requirements, including mandatory National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) for all personnel, adherence to VA cyber, privacy, and information security standards such as FISMA, NIST, and HIPAA, and full compliance with VA directives. Contractors must ensure U.S.-based development and operations, prohibit co-mingling of VA data without approval, ban confidentiality agreements that suppress reporting of misconduct, and comply with subcontracting limitations under FAR 52.219-8 (with deviation). All personnel must complete mandatory security and privacy training annually, and the contractor is responsible for reimbursing VA for the cost of background investigations once awarded. Invoicing must be conducted electronically through VA's